Doppler Radar Chronograph

slimjim · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 2:19 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

9 hour drive to get your antelope meat!?!? I think I would learn to process it myself. I skinned and quartered my antelope and put it on ice to drive it from WY back to TX.

Sorry you will have to wait. Also, I would use up some plinking ammo first to get to know the system before you shoot any reloads.

slimjim · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 2:59 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

Just got this from LabRadar about muzzle position.

slimjim · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

Also, I've heard of guys not getting readings if the backstop is close causing a lot of backscatter.

slimjim · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

Here is their caution about muzzle blast - "Remember, excessive blast will cause the unit to shake and it cannot focus on the bullet."

Azar · Member Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah

Thanks for the tips.

PaulS · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 6:34 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

I am saving money for mine...
Maybe for Christmas?
If not then I will wait for my birthday in September. Smile

I actually have the money now but I want to build up the savings account so My balance stays above my personal minimum. It sucks to be fiscally responsible.

slimjim · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

The whole Nation would be better off if more individuals had your financial discipline, PaulS.

PaulS · Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 6:41 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

It would be nice if the government at all levels did, but that ain't happening. Congress just OK'd an increase of 1.6 trillion dollars. They're going to wear those presses out printing that much money!

slimjim · Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2017 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

I another hunting mate bought one of his own LabRadars. We ran them side by side. Their velocity readings were identical with an occasional difference of 1 fps.

I also found out why it wasn't picking up my .22 LR - Besides the muzzle having to behind the unit, you have to change the velocity range from rifle to handgun.

Azar · Member Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah

Slim,

I found the same thing with .22LR. Set velocity range to Handgun, keep the barrel no further than ~1 inch to the side of the unit, keep the muzzle 1/2 way between the front and back of the unit*. If I do those two things I get basically 100% readings with .22LR.

*LabRadar instructions say to never put the muzzle "behind" the unit as the muzzle blast can damage it, but I found complete reliability if the muzzle was no more than equal with the back of the unit or (better yet) right in the "middle" of it. It's definitely more finicky than shooting it over an optical chronograph for .22LR.

Overall, I'm not super happy with my LabRadar. It's missed more shots in 3 ranges sessions than my Shooting Chrony Beta Master did in 10 years of use. However, I do believe it's because I went with the bench mount instead of the tripod. The benches at my range are not deep enough to put it at the correct distance. The muzzles of my rifles are a good 4-6 inches beyond the unit. I've added a tripod to my Santa list so I can put it right in front of the bench at the correct distance. Hopefully, that makes a big difference.

slimjim · Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2017 7:23 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

Azar, have you considered building a platform like I did? I slide it forward and back as I need to adjust muzzle velocity position depending on the rifle and muzzle device. I've only have missed a few due to muzzle position. The pictures above showing the muzzle aft of the unit were provided by LabRadar.

Also, this last weekend, I shot with a new muzzle brake that dumped lots of gas to the side. It appeared that the gas reduced the distance that the unit would track the bullets. These bullets would typically track to 75 yards. With this rifle and muzzle brake, they would only register at the muzzle.

Azar · Member Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah

Slim,

Do you have any pictures of the platform? That would be helpful.

Also, out of curiosity, what settings do you use on your LR?

What do you use for "Projectile offset"? I've tried both 6" and 12". I'm not sure which has worked better, or if there has really been any difference.

What are your "Set distances"? I start at 3 (or 4) yards and then go 20, 35, 50, 65...

What is your "Trigger Source"? I've been using Trigger but switched for one shot to Doppler when I was having issues. It picked it up but supposedly with small, fast projectiles it is less accurate. Indeed, the one shot where I used it showed up about 50 fps faster than the one shot recorded in "Trigger" mode.

What "Trigger Level" do you use? I have mine set to the most sensitve (Level 1)

I also use "TX power" of standard. You?

Just curious...

slimjim · Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2017 9:34 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

Azar, look on the 2nd page. The left edge is 6" from center. The first line is 12" and I use it just about all the time. I might start using 18" with my new muzzle brake. It is 18" wide but I should have made it 36" long so the rear back is on the platform, too. The offset is used by the LR to derive/triangulate the actual mv. I set my distances to 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 yards. I use the decal data at these distances to derive actual BC. I use the most sensitive level. I forgot there were different power levels. I've always use the trigger mode.

Azar · Member Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah

Slim,

Thanks for the help. It is much appreciated.

inthedark · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2018 3:34 pm Post subject: Re: Doppler Radar Chronograph

I use two tripods. The rear one holds the chrony which has witness marks for aiming so that i don't hit a wire and the the front one holds a 3/4inch piece of armour plate to protect the chrony from an errant bullet strike